Monday, 29 May 2017

The most important change from the initial test of Sub
Roman Britain to that of Hispania was how best to reconcile the passage of
time. This was solved by changing the value of the card drawn to read the
number of ‘months’ in place of ‘years’. This ensured that key events would have
relevance in the game and not be quickly passed over.

Assigning a suite to represent the principle barbarian
nations was easily done. The fourth suite was reserved for ‘Rome’ and later the
local government officials or senators. The eventual split of the Vandals to the
Asding and Siling was solved using the same suite, but an odd or even card drawn
would allow that tribal group take action.

The cast of one die to determine the attacker/defender
remained as did the method to determine the terrain to be used. In the seven
major engagements, five were fought on arable ground, one in hilly terrain and
one in a forest region.

Battles between full size armies did take place, but
this was rare. The rebellion in Gallicia had six elements per side turned out
to be a very enjoyable game. The same die cast used to determine the
attacker/defender role and terrain also resolved the replenishment of troops
for the battle. Unfortunately, the successive defeats by the Suevi meant repeatedly
meeting the enemy with an inferior force.

The game comfortably moved through two decades of play
taking two days to play. To reach 429 AD, 37 cards were drawn to initiate
tribal or Roman activity. Key historical events did fall into place if not by
their exact month, then certainly by their correct year.

After the death of Maximus, central authority in
Hispania disappears leaving local senators to negotiate directly with the
various tribes. The value of the card drawn (club) determined if this was
successful or not.

I am pleased with the rule set reaching a near
historical result. The Vandals and Alani did make their crossing to Africa on
time. It remains to be seen if the Suevi could create their empire in Hispania
given the weakened state of their army.

Next planned tests will bring my newly painted armies
to the table. Each of the armies will be presented with a brief history, their painting
and photos. This will give me the necessary time to design a map and write a
scenario for the third campaign.

Sunday, 28 May 2017

The Asding Vandals take over former Suevi territory in
Gallaecia. The Gallaecians are pleased to see the departure of the Suevi but
are wary of Vandal attempts at public relations.

421 AD

The arrival of the Suevi in Lusitania infuriates the
Alani. Government officials persuade the Alani with gold and new territory to
move south of the Tagus. The Alani move in February
to Baetica bringing them into direct conflict with the Siling Vandals. The
engagement was a severe blow to the Siling nobility as many, including their
king fell to the Alani skirmishers and heavy cavalry (4g – 1). In October, an attempt to assassinate
Maximus is foiled and he flees to Tarraco.

422 AD

The plot to
assassinate Maximus sends the government into a state of flux. Each of the
tribes expand their own territories and by spring, the Siling Vandals have a
new king.

423 AD

By March,
the Suevi have expanded their territory to the south resulting in a number of skirmishes
with the Siling Vandal escalating to a full engagement. The Suevi were dealt a
crushing defeat (5 – 2) in late spring (May)
forcing the Suevi to seek territory further to the west.

424 AD

The Alani seize the lands vacated by the Suevi which
was accomplished before April and before year end (December), the Asding Vandals had also profited from the Suevi
departure.

426 AD

Following a series of defeats over the past years, the
Suevi make no further effort at new objectives for the new year (January) other than to rebuild the
army. The Alani and Siling Vandals create an alliance (August) with an objective to seize key cities, especially those
located on the southern coast.

427 AD

Aetius campaigns against the Franks in Gallia which
hinders the search for a solution in Hispania, so local officials attempt to
forestall an Alani-Siling alliance by enlisting the aid of the Asding as
foederati. The negotiations end in failure (September). Events now swing toward Africa as the machinations of
Boniface to usurp authority have made him an ‘enemy of the Republic’.

428 AD

Under threat by armies sent against him from Rome,
Boniface seeks help from the Vandals in Hispania. In June Gunderic dies and is succeeded by his half brother Gaiseric.
Aware that the Asding are employed by the ‘Rome’ the charismatic Gaiseric
persuades the Asding to unite with Siling and Alan to invade Africa.

429 AD

The Asding Vandals do join their brethren and by May, the crossing to North Africa is
accomplished. Of the barbarian tribes that crossed the Pyrennees in 409 AD,
only the Suevi remain signalling the general population to take revenge and
that is another story.

Friday, 26 May 2017

The Suevi, Vandals and Alan have crossed the Pyrennees
and winter in the Ebro valley.

410 AD

The Vandals moved further south toward the heart of
Tarraconensis leaving the Suevi and Alani to resume old feuds and in August, the Alani caught the Suevi in
the Ebro valley and forced them to do battle. Alan Overconfidence nearly cost the
Alani the battle until their king changed their piecemeal efforts to well
coordinated attacks; this earned them a victory (4 – 3).

411 AD

In July,
Maximus had come to terms with the barbarians and arranged new areas for settlements.
The tribes spent the remainder of the year trekking toward their new homes with
the Alans receiving Lusitania and Carthaginiensis, the Siling Vandals receive
Baetica and the Asding vandals and the Sueves receive Galicia.

412 AD

Displeased at the course of events and ill treatment from
the barbarians, the native Gallaecians rose in revolt. Starting as guerrilla
activity (attacks on foraging parties, ambushes and night attacks) this
escalated to a full head on confrontation in July near the river Minius.

After a two hour battle with both sides struggling
along the hill slopes, the rebels had enough and disappeared beyond the hills. Although
beaten, their rebel leader survived and that meant guerrilla activity would
continue.

413 AD

The year remained relatively quiet; only the Alan were
expanding their territories.

414 AD

Constantius blockades Narbo (Narbonne) and the
Gallic coast, forcing the Visigoths south into Spain in late May.

415 AD

In early March,
the Siling Vandals send exploratory columns south of the River Baetis. This
exceeds the terms of the settlement treaty and to clarify the situation Corduba
sends its emissaries to meet with the Vandals. Intent on sending the Visigoths
back to Gallia, a Roman force is dispatched from Tarraco in July.

416 AD

The Alani discontented with their location migrate
south of the Tagus in early April.

417 AD

Corduba, employing the Siling Vandals as foederati, are given the task to escort the Alani back
north of the Tagus. In April, both
sides inflict heavy losses (3 – 3) but the Alani did find it prudent to
re-cross the River Tagus.

After a long series of negotiations, the Visigoth
return to Gallia leaving the Roman military to winter in Caesaraugusta on the
Ebro. In December, the Asding Vandals
launch a surprise attack on the Suevi inflicting heavy casualties including the
slaying of their king earning them a victory and eternal hatred by the Suevi (4g
– 1).

418 AD

A new Suevi warlord is crowned in August leads them to battle the Asding Vandals. The Vandals were
more than convincing in asking the Suevi to return home (3 – 1 ).

419 AD

The Suevi unanimously decide to move south and leave
Gallaecia. They reach Salamantica in July.

Thursday, 25 May 2017

The historical events highlighted here are taken from the Vortigern Studies website. This is placed here to give the reader a sense what may transpire in the campaign game. Next post will cover what modifications were made for the game.

Constantine III conspires with Honorius' magister
equitum Hellebich and prepairs for expeditions to Italy and Spain.
Constantine then elevates his son Constans to Augustus, while Rusticus replaces Apollinaris as praefectus
praetorio. Constantine enters Italy while the bulk of his army enters Spain
with Constans under command of Justus. They engage the Asding Vandals in
Castilia, killing their king Godigisel. The Vandals are saved from annihilation
when a force of Alamanni (or Alani) comes to their aid. Gunderic succeeds Godigisel as king of the Asding Vandals.
In Italy, Honorius puts his forces under command of the Illyrian Constantius.
This new threat causes Constantine to recall Constans from Spain. At probably
this point the magister militum Gerontius defects from Constantine III
(Fall), apparently in conjunction with the Spanish, for he elevates the
Spaniard Maximus to emperor in Terraco
(Tarragona). Constantine sends the Frank Edobeccus (Edowich) to raise and
army along the Rhine, and his son Constans with the praefectus praetorio
Rusticus to Northern Gaul.

411 AD

Gerontius or Maximus agree terms with the barbarian
invaders of Spain, allowing them to settle. The barbarians decide to divide the
Spanish provinces between them, the Alans receiving Lusitania and
Carthaginiensis, the Siling Vandals receive Baetica and the Asding vandals and
the Sueves receive Galicia.

414 AD

Constantius blockades Narbo (Narbonne) and the
Gallic coast, forcing the Visigoths south into Spain.

415 AD

After a destructive march through Gaul, Athaulf moves
with his Visigoths to Spain, but is murdered near Barcelona (July/August). Sigeric is king for seven days before he is murdered by Wallia, who fails to cross over to Africa (late Fall).

416 AD

The Visigoths in Spain are starving - in exchange for
food they agree to a treaty and the return of Galla Placidia (early in the
year).

417 AD

The Visigothic king Wallia campaigns against the
Vandals under Fredebal in Baetica and against the Alans under Addac (Attaces)
in Lusitania, routing them in battle. He reduces their number so much that the
survivors flee to the Asding Vandals.

418 AD

Wallia is recalled by Constantius to southern Gaul,
where he is allowed to settle his Visigoths in the southwest around Toulose.
Death of Wallia, succession by Theodoric (end of the year).
In Spain, Maximus is again elevated as
Augustus by Gunderic, king of the Asding Vandals (end of the year). The Gallic
Council is established at Arelate (Arles).
Jews are banned from the militia (the civil and armed services).

419 AD

War between the Asding Vandals and the Sueves in
Spain, who are besieged in the Nervasian Mountains. The comes per Hispania
Asterius intervenes on behalf of the Suevi.

420 AD

The Vandals break through to Baetica after a battle
near Bracarense (Braga). Maximus is captured by the comes per
Hispania Asterius.

422 AD

The Spanish usurper Maximus is executed in Ravenna
(January 23).
The comes domesticus Castinus campaigns against the Asding Vandals but
suffers heavy losses after being betrayed by his Visigothic troops.
The comes Africae Bonifatius (Boniface) cedes from Ravenna.

427 AD

Aetius lifts the Visigothic siege of Arelate (Arles).
Vandals and Alans raid the African provinces. The comes Africae Boniface
is suspected of planning a revolt. He is recalled, but refuses and is declared
an "enemy of the Republic". Boniface then defeats an army which
is sent against him, killing all three of the commanders.

428 AD

Franks invade Gaul, but are defeated by Aetius. The
Saxons are invited as federates into Britain by Vortigern and the British Council.
An army is sent against Boniface under the Goth Sigisvult, who manages to seize
Hippo Regius and Carthage. The comes Africae Boniface then
apparently invites the Vandals to aid him and to cross over from Spain into
Africa. Death of Gunderic, king of the Vandals, his half-brother Gaiseric succeeds him.

429 AD

The Vandals under Gaiseric cross from Spain into
Africa, leaving Spain to the Sueves.
Visit of the bishop Germanus to Britain where he helps defeat a Saxon raid.
Galla Placidia hastily pardons Boniface who joins forces with the Imperial
troops, but the Romans are nonetheless defeated by Gaiseric.

Sunday, 21 May 2017

I began
developing a set of ancient campaign rules one year ago today and looking back
at the different versions each have merit and would certainly be used again. As
our players gained experience with DBA 3.0 the campaign rules also evolved as
newly collected armies would offer new possibilities.

The Quick Play
Campaign system (September 2016) was designed to bring our usual three games an
evening into a campaign context and using variable terrain. The game replicated
a campaign season of one year whereby each player built up activity points to allow
certain actions to take place. The process was simple and did not add extra
time to the game as the attacker-defender roles were defined and terrain
selection was resolved.

This model differs in that it was designed to deal with conflicts necessitating long
periods of inactivity between engagements, the barbarian invasions along the Rhine
and Danube Limes come to mind. I am confident that this set would work well.

The first test
of Roman Britain ended covering a twenty year period highlighted by four
noteworthy engagements. This does not rule out the possibility of other
encounters in that same period, they were simply not worth the effort to
record.

The card system
served its purpose by defining the month and year plus the adversary; the month
is particularly useful if one wishes to add weather. Plus knowing the year can
help tie historical events (internal and external) to the campaign.

In addition to
the card draw, players must cast one die. This served not only to add troops to
an army, but the same score would help define the terrain to be fought over.
This worked well as three of the four engagements were fought in arable terrain
and the fourth in hilly country.

To assemble an
army players are no longer guaranteed the standard 12 element size force. In
this test most battles were fought with 8 or 9 elements which meant battles
became intense as they were quickly over. The sole Roman Britain victory was
fought with six elements against ten Saxon, someone’s star is rising.

However, losing
a battle would certainly tarnish a general’s reputation as a subsequent call to
arms would be met with less enthusiasm. This occurred twice for the Roman Britain
as the die casts were excellent (sixes), but having lost the previous battles took
to the field with a lower strength.

There are still
a few details that need work.

After a series
of victories by the barbarians at what point would they begin settlements in
Roman Britain? I am debating if this should be related to the number of
victories or the number of years that have lapsed.

It should also
be possible for the Roman Briton to become the attacker. How this is to done should
be linked with the initial card draw and/or die cast which will save a step. It
is possible that this will be resolved when the role of the face cards (knave,
queen, king) is defined. Map: Roman Britannia 410 AD

Friday, 19 May 2017

Using a standard
playing card deck of 52 cards, each suite is assigned to a barbarian (Pict,
Scots-Irish and Saxon) and the fourth suite is a rival Romano-Briton or
warlord. The value on the card determines the month and year of battle while
any face card can influence the political or military situation. The random
generated system for dating these encounters would make this campaign set
useful for conflicts covering longer time periods, such as the Suevi conquest
of Hispania or the Vandal invasion of Africa. This would also allow actual
historical events to be used within the context of the game.

As part of the
test both sides would start with six elements representing the army’s core
strength and this number will be augmented by casting a die. The score not only
serves for adding extra troops, but also determines on which ground battle is to be
fought on, the majority being arable with a lesser chance of this becoming hilly, forest or littoral.

Testing the rules.

414 AD

In late spring,
a Pictish army cross the frontier and reached the interior of Maxima Caesariensis
near Eboracum (York). Both sides were of equal strength, but the Picts seemed
up for battle as their taunting shouts could be heard clearly from across the
field.

Pictish archers surprised
and bested the limitanei holding the wood. Despite the onslaught, the
legionnaires supported by limitanei did push back a column of spearmen and
chariots. Unfortunately, a second column broke through unsettling the Roman
commander enough to call a retreat. Score 3 – 0 for the Picts.

417 AD

A raiding party
of Scots-Irish land on the shores of Britannia Secunda and threaten Uriconium
(Wroxeter).

A large force (12
elements) was assembled to meet the Scots, but with the imminent threat of a Pictish
invasion this was reduced. As fate would have it, the Romano-Britain force
slightly outnumbered the Scots, but as the armies met in the hill country of
the Ordovices, that advantage was lost.

The battle
lasted hours with the Scots simply wearing the Roman strength to a breaking
point. Too exhausted to pursue, the Scots held the field with a 3 – 1 victory.

422 AD

The Scots
gathered a second invading force and reached the British shore in May. Marching
inland and plundering the countryside they met a near equal sized force outside
Mancunium (Manchester).

Having long heard the
tales of the previous expedition, these Scots-Irish were eager to better their
brethren. With the Scots warriors forming the centre and chariots protecting
their flank. The Scots-Irish surged forward, half recoiled from the Romano shield
wall, but the other half broke through crumbling Roman resistance. Score 4 – 2 for
the Scots-Irish.

429 AD

The situation
was quickly becoming grim when news came of a Saxon invasion of Flavia Caesariensis.
With disastrous events in the north and west a small force was sent to meet the
Saxons at a spot between Camboricum (Cambridge) and Camulodunum (Colchester).

July was
unseasonably warm and hopefully the Roman commander had planned to catch the
enemy in a fatigued state. Those plans however quickly dissipated as he viewed the
enemy lines (the Romano-Britain assembled 6 elements to meet the Saxon 10).

Forming two
wings, the shield wall on the right, the mobile force on the left, and the
Roman commander would use his mobility to out manoeuvre the Saxon horde. An excellent plan, however this
failed as a unit of equites suffered horribly to Saxon skirmishers and luckily
the equites Dalmatae in a support role narrowly escaped a similar fate.

By now, both
sides were committed to a serious test of will and the Romano-Britain struck
first. The shield wall held with the exception of the extreme right flank, but
the timely attack by the equites decided the day. Score 4 – 2 for the Romano-Britain.

Thursday, 18 May 2017

Returning to the
Migration to Kingdom project I had
planned to continue the barbarian invasion as it unfolded in Hispania (409 AD).
Unfortunately, I had struck an impasse as the campaign rules, as written, would
not adapt well to the arrival of the barbarians and two decades later, the departure of the Vandals
for Africa. As fate would have it the solution came
elsewhere, the barbarian incursions of Roman Britain.

The situation in
Roman Britain was very much different. The Roman general Constantine usurps the
throne and departs Britain to deal with the barbarian invasion of the Gallic
provinces. Leaving only the garrisons behind he takes with him the field army
to arrive in Northern Gaul in the spring of 407 AD. It is not clear if Constantine had appointed
a replacement or if local officials selected their own candidate, what does
follow after his departure are an increased number of incursions by the Picts,
Scots and Saxons.

As written, the campaign
rules now needed to track the long period of invasions (decades) by a greater
number of barbarians confronting the Romano-Briton, the Picts from the north,
the Scots-Irish from the west and the Saxons from the south-east. The time
frame per turn therefore must change from its current monthly interval to possibly
years. After further consideration, the time frame between invasions should occur at random intervals, but this
begs the question by how many years?

Next, we have
the problem of which of the barbarian invade first? A simple casting of the die
could resolve this. Also to consider, the Romano-Briton as defender would have ‘arable’ as home terrain, yet we find other
geographical areas that would certainly qualify giving the defender the additional choice
of hilly, forest, or littoral; some certainly preferable if fighting at under
strength.

I enjoy the simplicity of the DBA
system as with the cast of one die you can resolve a number of issues. Keeping this in mind I searched for one step that could resolve the issue of year,
opponent, at what strength and terrain type.

Next post, testing the campaign game.

Map:

End of Roman Rule Britain
383 – 410 AD {1}

{1}

By my work -
Based on Jones & Mattingly's Atlas of Roman Britain (ISBN
978-1-84217-06700, 1990, reprinted 2007); Mattingly's Imperial Possession (
ISBN 978-0-140-14822-0, 2006); Higham's Rome, Britain, and the Anglo-Saxons
(ISBN 1-85264-022-7, 1992); Frere's Britannia (ISBN 0-7102-1215-1, 1987); and
Snyder's An Age of Tyrants (ISBN 978-0-631-22260-6) — the sources are cited in
the image legend — Locations of towns (fortified and unfortified) are given on
p. 156, with tribal civitates and coloniae specified on p. 154, of Atlas of
Roman Britain. Specification of the Romanized regions of Britain are also from
the Atlas, p. 151. The "Departure Dates" are found in the cited
sources, and are generally known. The Pictish, Saxon, and Scoti raids are found
in the cited sources, as is the date of the Irish settlements in Wales. Frere
suggests (p. 355) that it was the Irish who sacked Wroxeter c. 383. The
locations of the Irish settlements is from the locations of inscription stones
given in File:Britain.Deisi.Laigin.jpg as of 2010-10-11, which cites its
sources of information.The topographical map is from a sub-region of File:Uk
topo en.jpg, with the copyright notice {{Bild-GFDL-GMT|migration=relicense}}
and original date of 7 July 2006, copy made in 2008, with the annotations
removed by myself., CC BY-SA 3.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11817590

Friday, 5 May 2017

By the 3rd century the Alan tribes had
become scattered with the majority moving west. Those that remained north of
the Caucuses Mountains formed a minor kingdom and would invade through the
Caspian Gates plundering the rich regions to the south.

II/69a
Sassanid vs. II/58 Alan 50 AD – 1500 AD

Terrain:

Steppe to include two gentle hills, two rocky ground and
a river.

Game 1

The battlefield had a river coursing its way between
gentle hills and rough ground and it was on the left bank that the Alani
deployed for action.

The Alani remaining stationary merely extended their
formation. In that moment the Sassanid moved forward and wheeled their
formation to increase their frontage.

The combat that ensued had both sides moving back and
forth and it was at this moment Ardashir suffered severe injuries and needed to
be taken off the field and despite the loss of their king, Shapur spurred the Sassanid
on to continue the fight (high pip scores). The heavy casualties on both side
attested to the grim determination of each to win. Score 5g – 4 for the Alani.

Game 2

The second battle found both sides with room to deploy
as rough ground and hills were situated to one flank.

This time the Sassanid was able to use the nobles and Asavaran
cavalry to better effect.

The Alani line buckled leaving gaps which the Sassanid
quickly took advantage of giving them a much needed victory. Score 4 -1 for Sassan.

Game 3

The final engagement was fought on an open plain flanked
by low hills and a river.

The Alani spent their first moments extending their
formation allowing the Sassanid to advance forward.

During the ensuing battle, the Sassanid centre broke
through causing casualties for the Alani. The right flank had met with stiff
resistance and could make no headway, but the left gave way to a hail of Alani
arrows. Score 4 – 2 for the Alani.

Monday, 1 May 2017

Alexander Severus launched a three pronged attack
against the Sassanid. One column passed through Armenia who supported the war,
a second moved toward the eastern part of Sassanid territory while Severus kept
the main column in the centre under personal command (Herodian 6.6/Alexander’s
Persian War).

The battlefield offered a generous amount of space for
the Sassanid to deploy. The extended cavalry line was flanked by light horse
columns with a unit forming a reserve directly behind Ardashir. The Romans placed
all their infantry as a first line and cavalry forming a reserve line.

Rome moved forward in echelon formation, well aware of
a flanking manoeuvre, the Roman infantry pressed on.

With the two battle lines less than 20 paces from each
other, the Roman commander moved his cavalry reserve to support the general
assault.

Like a thunder clap that echoed for a time, half of the
Roman battle line disappeared. Unnerved by the oncoming banners of Ardashir and
his knights, the Roman commander called a retreat. Score 4 – 1 for Sassan.

Game 2

For the second engagement Rome took advantage of some
constrictive terrain. This forced the Sassanid to form in three separate groups
with a light horse column deployed across the river and a second column on the
opposite side of a difficult hill.

Ardashir, optimistic about the success of his flanking
columns moved slowly forward. To his surprise, the Romans seemed equally optimistic
and moved off their hill position to attack the main Sassanid body.

The flanking column soon discovered how deep the river
was and proceeded to simply out manoeuvre the auxilia defending the opposite
bank.

The Roman commander positioned on the hill could
survey the entire battle. On his left, despite the loss of a unit of auxilia
the Persian light horse were being held off and on the right flank the Persians
seemed contained. Gaps were seen among the Sassanid main body as Roman bows
were taking their toll.

Seeing the
right flank in serious trouble (losing two elements) the Roman commander moved
to stave off a disaster (3 – 1). Ardashir called for one great effort and
launched his cavalry against the Roman legions. Rome held firm recoiling
Ardashir and his cavalry, but Shapur broke through victorious. Score 4 – 1 for Sassan.

Game 3

The last engagement found the Romans caught in the
open facing the Sassanid in battle formation occupying a hill.

The main Sassanid battle line moved slowly forward
giving time for the left wing to roll up the Roman open flank.

The Roman line buckled under the weight of the
Sassanid lancers. With heavy losses and their commander pursued by Ardashir,
Rome broke. Score 4 – 0 for Sassan.